Chapter 41 Practice Quiz — Pride and Prejudice
by Jane Austen — tap or click to flip
Practice Quiz: Chapter 41
Who invites Lydia to accompany her to Brighton?
Mrs. Forster, the wife of the colonel of the regiment. She is described as "a very young woman, and very lately married," whose resemblance to Lydia in good humor and good spirits made them intimate friends within two months of a three-month acquaintance.
How does Elizabeth describe Lydia's invitation to Brighton?
She considers it "the death warrant of all possibility of common sense for the latter." Elizabeth secretly advises her father not to let Lydia go, arguing that the temptations at Brighton will be even greater than at home.
What arguments does Elizabeth make to her father against Lydia going to Brighton?
She argues that Lydia's "wild volatility" and "disdain of all restraint" will damage the family's respectability, that Lydia will become "the most determined flirt" at sixteen, that Kitty will follow her example, and that "their sisters will not be often involved in the disgrace."
How does Mr. Bennet justify letting Lydia go to Brighton?
He argues that Lydia will never be satisfied until she has "exposed herself in some public place," that Colonel Forster will prevent real mischief, that she is "too poor to be an object of prey to anybody," and that at Brighton she "will be of less importance even as a common flirt than she has been here."
What does Elizabeth now detect in Wickham's manner?
She has "learnt to detect, in the very gentleness which had first delighted her, an affectation and a sameness to disgust and weary." She sees through his charm entirely and recognizes his renewed attentions as "idle and frivolous gallantry."
How does Wickham react when Elizabeth mentions Darcy improving on acquaintance?
He cries "Indeed!" with an alarmed look, then asks if Darcy has improved in address or "in essentials." His complexion heightens and his look becomes agitated when Elizabeth clarifies that knowing Darcy better simply made his disposition "better understood."
What does Wickham claim about Darcy's improved behavior at Rosings?
Wickham suggests the improvement is "merely adopted on his visits to his aunt, of whose good opinion and judgement he stands much in awe," and attributes it to Darcy's wish to forward "the match with Miss de Bourgh, which I am certain he has very much at heart."
How does Elizabeth respond to Wickham's attempt to discuss his grievances against Darcy?
She "could not repress a smile" but answered only with "a slight inclination of the head." She saw he wanted to engage her on "the old subject of his grievances" but "was in no humour to indulge him." She refuses to be drawn in.
What vision does Lydia have of Brighton before her departure?
With "the creative eye of fancy," she imagines streets covered with officers, herself the object of attention from scores of unknown men, the glories of the camp with tents in "beauteous uniformity of lines, crowded with the young and the gay, and dazzling with scarlet," and herself "tenderly flirting with at least six officers at once."
How is Lydia's farewell from her family described?
"The separation between her and her family was rather noisy than pathetic." Only Kitty shed tears, and those were from "vexation and envy" rather than sadness. Mrs. Bennet gave enthusiastic advice to enjoy herself, while Elizabeth and Jane's "more gentle adieux" went "uttered without being heard."
What is Kitty's reaction to Lydia's Brighton invitation?
Kitty is mortified and jealous. She complains, "I cannot see why Mrs. Forster should not ask me as well as Lydia," arguing she has "just as much right to be asked" and is "two years older." She "continued in the parlour repined at her fate in terms as unreasonable as her accent was peevish."
How does Elizabeth feel after her failed attempt to convince her father?
She is "forced to be content" but "her own opinion continued the same, and she left him disappointed and sorry." However, "it was not in her nature to increase her vexations by dwelling on them." She was "confident of having performed her duty."
What does Mrs. Bennet remember about her own experience with a departing regiment?
She says, "I cried for two days together when Colonel Miller's regiment went away. I thought I should have broken my heart." This shows how closely her younger daughters mirror her own youthful temperament.
How do Elizabeth and Wickham part at the end of the evening?
They part "with mutual civility, and possibly a mutual desire of never meeting again." Wickham spent the rest of the evening with "the appearance, on his side, of usual cheerfulness, but with no further attempt to distinguish Elizabeth."